I think patents in general is a crap idea. It stifles creativity and innovation, and moreso in the world of software. I mean these laws allow people to patent algorithms - which is completely and utterly stupid in my opinion.
Remember when id Software had to take it in the arse because John Carmack (SPELLING) used an algorithm that was already patented by Creative? We\'ll see more of that crap and it\'ll be a lot worse.